FBI Richmond Division Honors Community Activist with the 2014 Director’s Community Leadership Award

FBI Richmond Division Honors Community Activist with the 2014 Director’s Community Leadership Award

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Adam S. Lee is pleased to announce Mr. Sidney Townsend of Henrico County as the division’s recipient of the prestigious 2014 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). The DCLA is an award that recognizes one individual from each of the FBI’s 56 field offices for their extraordinary contribution to public safety and awareness within their community. Mr. Townsend was nominated to the Richmond Division by Chief Douglas A. Middleton, Henrico County Police Division (HCPD).

Mr. Townsend began his community involvement in 1996 when he became involved in his neighborhood watch group, which led to his serving as president of the Confederate Heights Neighborhood Watch Program. Continuing his community engagement with law enforcement, he enrolled in the HCPD’s Third Senior Citizens’ Police Academy and the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) organization. According to Chief Middleton, Mr. Townsend routinely volunteers to support special events hosted by the HCPD.

Examples of Mr. Townsend’s dedication to his community include the development of a National Night Out barbeque at the Richmond Raceway Complex for the entire community surrounding the Richmond International Raceway and a Town Hall Meeting within the greater Confederate Heights Neighborhood, which included the chief and command staff from HCPD, the Board of Supervisor’s district representative, and community members. This event included faith-based, business, and civic leaders. At the conclusion of the Town Hall, a “Community Walk” occurred wherein Mr. Townsend was joined by the chief, his command staff, and patrol officers as they strolled through the Confederate Heights Neighborhood distributing crime prevention materials and reinforcing community and law enforcement bonds.

SAC Lee will present Mr. Townsend a certificate announcing his being selected the 2014 Director’s Community Leadership Award recipient during a SALT meeting on Monday, December 8, 2014, and will again announce the award during a Henrico County Board of Supervisor’s Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2014. In the spring of 2015, Mr. Townsend and other award recipients from across the country will be formally recognized by Director James B. Comey at a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.